Saturday, October 20, 2012

Lose weight in the winter, with "Brown Fat."

I have to start off by saying, I was very hesitant to write this post because I don't like to discuss weight and I think everyone looks beautiful in their own skin. But I think for those who are looking to lose weight, instead of seeking for pills, this might be the CHEAPEST way to add that small boost to any diet plan. Since you know how much I like ideas that save money, here it goes! lol.

So I believe everyone has an "idle weight," the weight we stay at when we eat and do the normal daily routines without feeling hungry or stuffed at the end of the night. For me, that weight is usually 125. But for years, I tell me friends and family that I somehow hit 121 every fall with no effort of trying to lose weight. The picture below is me a week ago, and you can go to my earlier post, Pallette Mash Up with Red and Blue, to see a pic of me when it was a little warmer. I know it's hard to tell with different outfits and all, but I can tell. Of course, I get really embarrassed at the same time talking about 4 pounds because I don't want people to think that I'm trying to lose weight like I'm anorexic or something. So the other day, I decided to Google this mystery until I found something...and I did!!! I'm not crazy; it's scientifically proven! The answer is Brown Fat; according to an article written earlier this year by The New York Times "Brown fat, actually brown in color...one form of it, which is turned on when people get cold, sucks fat out of the rest of the body to fuel itself." You can read the full article here:

Of course I think there are other factors that can affect this, such as people tend to eat heartier foods in the winter, or more junk food at holiday parties...but I believe, in general, it does work because I have honestly been saying it for years! So from the perspective of Not Too Fancy, "save some money on utilities by keeping the thermostat's temperature a little lower, and lose some weight along the way! Lol."